Noelle Tamashiro and her newborn daughter, Tehani Chiemi Tamashiro, are greeted by Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher, commander, TAMC. Tehani was the first baby born on Oahu in 2011.

Story and Photo by
Jan Clark
Tripler Army Medical Center Public Affairs

HONOLULU — Tripler Army Medical Center celebrated the first Oahu birth of 2011, when Tehani Chiemi Tamashiro was born at 12:25 a.m., New Year’s Day.

The baby’s mother, Noelle, said her due date was actually Christmas Eve, but she didn’t begin labor until New Year’s Eve. That’s when she arrived at TAMC with her parents, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nolan and Sharlene Tamashiro. After nearly 12 hours of labor, Tehani was born, weighing in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces.

“I thought I missed it because it was past 12 already,” Noelle said. “When she arrived at 12:25 a.m., they told me she was the first one.”

In addition to being the island’s first daughter of the new year, Tehani is the second generation of her family to be born at Tripler.

“Noelle was born Jan. 3, 1991, here at Tripler,” Sharlene said. “Twenty years ago, compared to now, the care was impersonal. Now, it was personal and comfortable, we (all) got close.

“I was amazed at the room; the staff; the two doctors, Dr. Lauren Guilleto and Dr. Kathleen Green; and the nurses – they were wonderful, very helpful,” she continued.

Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher, commander, TAMC, stopped by New Year’s morning to welcome Tehani and ensure Noelle and family were well and comfortable. He presented Noelle with a commander’s coin for her new bundle of joy.